Self-Aligning and Self-Adhering Cosmetic Stencil System

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a self-adhesive stencil system for application of cosmetics to the area around the human eye. The system is characterized by each of left and right stencil configurations having one or more curvilinear voids, such voids being defined by a top perimeter point and a bottom perimeter point. To position the stencil, a user positions the bottom perimeter point of each configuration at the outside corner of the corresponding eye and using the bottommost line of the void to position the configuration along an imaginary line running along the bottom of the user&#39;s bottom eyelid and extending onto the user&#39;s temple, presses the self-adhesive side of the configuration onto the user&#39;s skin. User applies cosmetic product along the superior eyelid rim and into the curvilinear void. Once cosmetic is applied, the user may remove the stencil.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

BACKGROUND

The application of cosmetics to the eye demands two opposing considerations. First, application intended to mimic an accepted style must adhere closely enough to that style as to be recognizable as such. Second, application must be faithful enough to the unique contours of a user's face as to avoid a discordant appearance.

In addition, the application of cosmetics to a user's own face presents the added difficulty of balancing three factors: having the user's hands as free as possible, minimizing obstructions to the user's own view (especially when applying cosmetics to or near the eye), and steadying the user's head to the extent feasible.

In the cosmetics industry, stencils have been employed to balance such opposing considerations and factors. The problems with such stencils are twofold. First, many stencils extend beyond the ideal length, extending onto the upper eyelid or extending into and making contact with the eye itself. When a stencil extends onto a user's upper eyelid, the user is forced to close her eye, impeding her view of her application process. When a stencil extends into or onto the eye itself, the user must tolerate a resulting painful or at least, uncomfortable, condition for the duration of the application process.

Elsewhere in the cosmetics industry, guards or shields have been employed with similar intent. The problem with many guards is that they provide for alignment with only one anatomical point, the inferior eyelid rim. Such positioning does not take anatomical variations into account, assuming that all inferior eyelid rims to be identical in length and curvature. The problems with many shields are twofold. First, shields are often designed to be held by a user's hand during application, unnecessarily occupying the user's hands. Second, shields are often designed without consideration for a matching anatomical origin point, making adherence to an accepted style less precise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a drawing showing anatomical characteristics of the human eye that are implicated by the system described herein.

FIG. 1B is a drawing showing that how the system described herein would be employed at the first of two distinct steps in the process of applying cosmetics to a user's eye area, specifically, the application of stencil configurations.

FIG. 1C is a drawing showing how the system described herein would be employed at the second of two distinct steps in the process of applying cosmetics to a user's eye area, specifically, the application of a makeup mark.

FIG. 1D is a drawing showing the resulting look of the human eye area after use and removal of the system described herein.

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the stencil described herein.

FIG. 2B shows the embodiment of FIG. 2A, including the reverse side and adhesive layer of the left configuration of the stencil system described herein.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the system described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one, or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two, or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an exemplary embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The invention and embodiments described herein are intended for use in relation to human anatomical facial features. Anatomical features can be referred to by colloquial terms or medical terms, with the medical terms often affording more precise definitions. Henceforth, to strive for precision herein, the colloquial phrase, “outside corner of the eye” will be referred to by the medical term, “lateral canthus,” the phrase, “top edge of the bottom eyelid” will be referred to by the medical term, “inferior eyelid rim,” and the phrase, “bottom edge of the top eyelid” will be referred to by the medical term, “superior eyelid rim.”

A need exists for a cosmetics application stencil system that permits a user to self-apply cosmetics to the eye in an accepted, recognizable style while allowing for normal anatomical variations in eye size and shape. These needs are concomitant with the needs to make such stencil system hands-free, minimally obstructive to the user's vision during application, and permissive of allowing the user to steady her head during application. These needs are met by the present invention as described herein.

The present innovation is a cosmetic stencil system which includes a self-adhesive stencil that is variably configured for use on a human left eye or a human right eye, thereby creating a right configuration and a left configuration. Each of said right configuration and said left configuration has a perimeter characterized by at least one curvilinear void, said void being defined by a top perimeter point and a bottom perimeter point. Said bottom perimeter point serves as an origin for placement of said right configuration and said left configuration at the lateral canthus of a human right eye and human left eye, respectively. Said void is characterized by a bottom curved portion, which serves to position the configuration along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the temple.

The stencil described herein adheres to skin by action of a pre-applied adhesive that prevents cosmetic intrusion under said stencil. Each stencil configuration may have two or more voids, where the bottommost void is defined in part by a bottom perimeter point. This bottom perimeter point serves as the origin for placement of said right configuration and said left configuration along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the temple.

A user of the stencil can create a temporary or permanent makeup mark that extends along the superior eyelid rim, past the lateral canthus, and onto the temple. A temporary mark could be made with an eyeliner, a henna brush, or some other suitable makeup applicator, while a permanent mark could be made via tattooing or long-lasting ink application. The stencil is applied temporarily and may be readjusted, realigned, and readily removed to facilitate the hands free application of eye makeup in alignment as previously described.

Referring to FIG. 1A, basic superficial anatomy of the human eye is shown. Particularly noted with respect to the area around a user's right eye are: the user's right eye 12, lateral canthus 38, and inferior eyelid rim 42. Particularly noted with respect to the area around a user's left eye are: the user's left eye 16, lateral canthus 52, and inferior eyelid rim 56.

Referring to FIG. 1B, when applying the rightmost stencil 14, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point with the lateral canthus of her right eye and positions the bottom curved portion of the void such that the line of the bottom curved portion continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the right temple 26. Such alignment standardizes both horizontal and vertical positioning of the rightmost stencil 14, allowing for customized application of an ideal shape in a customizable alignment with the unique contours of a user's face.

Referring to FIG. 1B, when applying the leftmost stencil 18, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point with the lateral canthus of her left eye and positions the bottom curved portion of the void such that the line of the bottom curved portion continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the left temple 28. Such alignment standardizes both horizontal and vertical positioning of the leftmost stencil 18, allowing for customized application of an ideal shape in a customizable alignment with the unique contours of a user's face.

Referring to FIG. 1C, upon application of rightmost stencil to user's right temple 26, user applies cosmetic product, such as eyeliner, across the superior eyelid rim and into the void in the stencil configuration, thereby creating makeup mark 60. User then grasps rightmost stencil at tab 62 and removes rightmost stencil by pulling tab 62 toward her right eye.

Referring to FIG. 1C, upon application of leftmost stencil to user's left temple 28, user applies cosmetic product, such as eyeliner, across the superior eyelid rim and into the void in the stencil configuration, thereby creating makeup mark 66. User then grasps leftmost stencil at tab 68 and removes leftmost stencil by pulling tab 68 toward her left eye.

Referring to FIG. 1D, this drawing shows the resulting look of the human eye area after use and removal of the stencil system described herein.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an eye stencil 10 is shown. The stencil 10 may be configured for use on the user's right eye, creating rightmost stencil 14. The rightmost stencil 14 has a perimeter 30 forming at least one curvilinear void 32, the void 32 being defined by a top perimeter point 34 characterized by a generally acute angle and a bottom perimeter point 36 characterized by a generally acute angle. Rightmost stencil 14 is truncated at bottom perimeter point 36. When applying the rightmost stencil 14, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point 36 with the lateral canthus 38 of her right eye and positions the bottom curved portion 40 of the void 32 such that the line of the bottom curved portion 40 continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the right temple. Such alignment standardizes both horizontal and vertical positioning of the rightmost stencil 14, allowing for customized application of an ideal shape in a customizable alignment with the unique contours of a user's face.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the stencil 10 may be configured for use on the user's left eye, creating leftmost stencil 18. The leftmost stencil 18 has a perimeter 44 forming at least one curvilinear void 46, the void 46 being defined by a top perimeter point 48 characterized by a generally acute angle and a bottom perimeter point 50 characterized by a generally acute angle. Leftmost stencil 18 is truncated at bottom perimeter point 50. When applying the leftmost stencil 18, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point 50 with the lateral canthus of her left eye and positions the bottom curved portion 54 of the void 46 such that the line of the bottom curved portion 54 continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the left temple. Such alignment standardizes both horizontal and vertical positioning of the leftmost stencil 18, allowing for customized application of an ideal shape in a customizable alignment with the unique contours of a user's face.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the stencil 10 has a first exterior side 20 and an opposite second exterior side 22, where the second exterior side 22 is covered with an adhesive 24 designed to temporarily adhere the rightmost stencil to the user's right temple when configured for use on the user's right eye, and to temporarily adhere the leftmost stencil to the user's left temple when configured for use on the user's left eye.

The alignment of both the rightmost stencil 14 and the leftmost stencil 18 may be adjusted by the user. The adhesive 24 may be of sufficient strength to permit a user to remove either stencil after initial application, re-position the stencil, and re-apply the stencil in a new orientation preferred by the user. Pressing the stencil back in place adheres the stencil to the user's skin in the new alignment configuration and once again permits hands free application of eye makeup of the user's choice.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the stencil 58 is shown with two voids 70 in the rightmost stencil 72 and two voids 74 in the leftmost stencil 76. When applying the rightmost stencil 72, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point 36 with the lateral canthus of her right eye and positions the bottom curved portion 40 of the bottommost void 70 such that the line of the bottom curved portion 40 continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the right temple. When applying the leftmost stencil 72, a user aligns the bottom perimeter point 50 with the lateral canthus of her left eye and positions the bottom curved portion 54 of the bottommost void 74 such that the line of the bottom curved portion 54 continues along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the right temple.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. 

I claim:
 1. A stencil system, comprising: a self-adhesive stencil, where said stencil is configured for use on a human eye, thereby creating a stencil configuration; where said stencil configuration has a perimeter characterized by at least one curvilinear void, said void being defined by a top perimeter point and a bottom perimeter point; where said bottom perimeter point serves as an origin for placement of said stencil configuration at the lateral canthus of a human eye;  where said void is characterized by a bottom curved portion; where said bottom curved portion serves to position the configuration along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim.
 2. The system according to claim 1, where said stencil adheres to skin by action of a pre-applied adhesive.
 3. The adhesive according to claim 2, where said adhesive prevents cosmetic intrusion under said stencil.
 4. The system according to claim 1, where said configuration has two or more voids, and where the bottommost void is defined in part by a bottom perimeter point.
 5. The system according to claim 4, where said bottom perimeter point serves as the origin for placement of said configuration along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim and beyond the lateral canthus onto the temple.
 6. The system according to claim 1, where a user applies makeup in the stencil void to create a makeup mark that extends along the superior eyelid rim, past the lateral canthus, and onto the temple.
 7. The system of claim 6, where said makeup mark is either temporary or permanent.
 8. The system according to claim 1, where the stencil is applied temporarily to facilitate adjustment.
 9. A stencil system, comprising: a self-adhesive stencil configured for use on a human eye; where said stencil is characterized by at least one void in its exterior perimeter, said void being partially defined by a bottommost perimeter point and including a bottommost curvilinear portion; where placement of said bottommost perimeter point at the lateral canthus of a human eye, combined with positioning said bottommost curved portion along an imaginary line extending along the inferior eyelid rim, allows for customized stencil and cosmetic application.
 10. The system according to claim 9, where said stencil adheres to skin by action of a pre-applied adhesive.
 11. The adhesive according to claim 10, where said adhesive prevents cosmetic intrusion under said stencil.
 12. The system according to claim 9, where said configuration has two or more voids, and where the bottommost void is defined in part by a bottom perimeter point.
 13. The system according to claim 9, where a user creates a makeup mark that extends along the superior eyelid rim, past the lateral canthus, and onto the temple.
 14. The system according to claim 13, where said makeup mark is either temporary or permanent.
 15. The system according to claim 9, where the stencil is applied temporarily to facilitate adjustment. 